Coronavirus Epidemic: A South African Perspective

Abstract

On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak a global public health emergency of international concern, this after 98 confirmed cases in countries outside China and 4 confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission. A week later, the number of cases outside China had risen to 270 in 24 countries with 1 death confirmed in the Philippines. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, stated in the press conference that the reason for the declaration of emergency was not the gravity of the situation in China, which is expected to contain the outbreak, but rather the possibility of spread of the virus to countries with weaker health systems. It is fair to say that many healthcare systems in Africa meet the criteria for this designation and may not have the capacity to cope effectively with epidemic transmission on the continent.